Ranking Lakeland's 7 state championship seasons

Roy Fuoco @royfuoco

Tuesday

Jan 8, 2019 at 12:33 PMJan 8, 2019 at 12:33 PM

A look back in history through the greatest teams in Lakeland High School football history.

Lakeland won its seventh state championship on Dec. 7, 2018, after beating nationally ranked Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 33-20, in the FHSAA Class 7A title game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Seven great teams, seven great seasons. It's hard to quantify the greatest team — 2005 gets my vote — so let's look at how the state-championship seasons rank.

N0. 1 — 2006

THE RECORD: 15-0

THE TEAM

Offensively, Lakeland was a two-headed monster with Chris Rainey and Jamar Taylor providing a devastating one-two punch. Rainey finished with the second-best single-season total in Lakeland history, 2,419 yards, while Taylor also was a 1,000-yard rusher. They ran behind arguably the best offensive line in Lakeland history, led by returning starters Mike and Maurkice Pouncey, Chris Kenney and John Hardy. Blair Castle didn't have to throw a lot but made plays to Paul Wilson and Chris Rich when he had to.

Defensively, the key was the play of linebackers Nic Moody, Colin Clyne and David Golden, who all were new starters at the position. John Brown, who was The Ledger's No. 1 college prospect, anchored the defensive line with Pat Turner, Weber Stanis and Calvin Shaw. Future Gators Ahmad Black and Steve Wilks led the secondary. Lakeland outscored its opponents 589-131.

IMPACT

The 2006 squad might not have been the best of the championship teams, but the Dreadnaughts came into the season with perhaps more pressure than any previous team and had the most drama on their way to the title. They brought a 30-game winning streak into the season as two-time defending state champions and defending national champions. They had close calls against St. Xavier and Osceola during the regular season, then won the two-overtime thriller against St. Thomas to clinch their third straight state title and second national title. They finished No. 1 in the National Prep Poll and No. 3 in USA Today.

NO. 2 — 1986

THE RECORD: 13-1

THE TEAM

It's been more than 30 years, so it's easy to forget how formidable this squad was. Quarterback Shane Willis set the team's single-season passing record. Willis to Roderick Haynes might be the best passing combination in team's history. Greg Hardee, Cameron McCalpin and Earl Mothersill were forces in the backfield. Mothersill began the year on the bench but replaced McCalpin and rushed for 921 yards, including 102 in the championship game. Typical of lines coached by longtime offensive line coach Bill Galloway, this one was sturdy, with Travis Galloway, Matt Smith, Scott Shoemaker, Dean Jones and Mike Marshall, who was injured and replaced by Greg Anderson. Fred Lopez was a talented placekicker. The defense was led by linebackers Shane Parker and Greg Diamond. Willie Buford, Willie Franklin, Darryl Mack and Eddie Cason formed a strong secondary with Larry Young, Willie Moody, Loreno Adams, Adrian Gore and Theo Marsh on the line. It was a strong team, as 21 players could bench more than 300 pounds. Lakeland outscored its opponents 497-117.

IMPACT

There was off-the-field drama regarding whether the Dreadnaughts would have to forfeit a game. Their 14-10 victory over Dunedin was a rare, close title game. What pushes '86 season to No. 2 on the list of greatest seasons is that the state title was the first. This squad was the foundation for the reputation on which subsequent state championship teams were built.

N0. 3 — 2005

THE RECORD: 15-0

THE TEAM

This was perhaps Lakeland's best team. On offense, the Dreadnaughts were balanced and loaded. Rainey and Taylor combined for more than 2,700 yards rushing. Billy Lowe had 1,701 yards of total offense, including 1,260 yards passing. Wilson and tight end Jordan Hammond were Division I prospects. Matt Grier was a solid receiver. The offensive line was led by the Pounceys, Hardy and Kenney as juniors. Defensively, Hammond at defensive end and Brown led the defensive line. Nic Moody, Edgar Lewis and Cedric Edom also were on the line. But the heart of the defense was the linebackers, Scott Bryant in the middle between Rashard Coleman and Troy Johnson, who are on the short list of the best starting linebacking trios of any team in Polk County. Black and Wilks led the secondary. Lakeland outscored its opponents 580-93.

IMPACT

This team won its second straight state title and first national title, finishing No. 1 in USA Today. For most programs, that is enough to move to the top of greatest seasons. The only thing lacking was drama. The closest margin of victory in the regular season was 21 points. In the playoffs, Lakeland beat Lake Gibson by just 13 points in the regional final, but the game really was never in doubt, and the Dreadnaughts destroyed St. Thomas 39-10 in the title game. The only game where there was any drama was their 28-21 victory over Niceville.

NO. 4 — 2018

THE RECORD: 15-0

THE TEAM

Offensively, Lakeland didn't depend on as many players as other Lakeland champions. It was the Demarkcus Bowman show. Bowman, of course, set the team record with 36 touchdowns and rushed for more than 2,000 yards. Still, quarterback Dywonski McWilliams provided a nice counterpunch for the offense with 1,451 yards of total offense. Keon Zipperer and Chris Howard made big plays when needed, and Jaharie Martin was as good a short yardage back as the Dreadnaughts have had. The offensive line of Deyavie Hammond, Tanner Howe, Willie Lampkin, Aleek Saint-aime and Naveli Dixson proved to be as good as any Lakeland line by the way they dominated St. Thomas in the title game. The front seven on defense also were as good as any Lakeland has had with Trey Huntley, Latrell Jean, Lloyd Summerall and A.J. Thomas up front, backed by linebackers Martin, Khalil Crawford and Jason Hampton. Quadir Hall and Tony Ware led the secondary with Teshaun Nixon and Fenley Graham, who also was a big-play specialist on defense. Lakeland outscored its opponents 694-135. The 694 points were a team record.

IMPACT

This squad ended the longest drought, 12 years, of Lakeland not winning a state title under coach Bill Castle. The Dreadnaughts avenged the 2008 drubbing by St. Thomas in the title game. They were considered underdogs as St. Thomas boasted at least 20 Division I prospects but controlled the game on both sides of the ball. Lakeland is ranked No. 24 by USA Today.

NO. 5 — 1999

THE RECORD: 15-0

THE TEAM

Lakeland had as potent an offense as ever. Johnny Jones was one of the top quarterbacks in school history, a dangerous runner and passer. Johnnie Mack and Laroni Gallishaw were as formidable a duo as Rainey-Taylor would be. Tight end Kyle Cobia signed with Miami, and Gavin Smart was at wide receiver. Alex Saunders, Matt Rockhold, Greg Lott, Daunte Stills and David Porter formed a strong offensive line. Defensive end Chauncey Clark was perhaps the greatest defensive player in school history. Strong and quick, he was nearly unblockable. Johnny Jean was the other leader on the defensive line that included Josh Phillips and Aaron Harris. Mandrel Butler was a hard-hitting linebacker with Isaac Jackson and Tommy Gunther. Shawn Fuller led the secondary that included Donte Galloway, Kareem Taylor and Antwan Denton. Lakeland outscored its opponents 577-147.

IMPACT

What made this year special was it came after back-to-back years of frustrating finishes because of injuries to Jones and Mack. Lakeland seemed destined for another frustrating finish when Jones went out with an injury in the state semifinals, but Kedrick Frazier came off the bench to lead Lakeland in the championship game over Rutherford. Lakeland ended the season ranked No. 6 by USA Today.

NO. 6: 1996 15-0

THE TEAM

Lakeland had another multiple-threat offense. Quarterback Lewis Grier had more than 1,800 yards of total offense. Two backs, Dewayne Gallishaw and Keith Price, rushed for more than 1,000 yards, combining for more than 3,300 yards. Price set a team record of 31 rushing touchdowns that Bowman broke this season. Defensively, John Brown anchored the defensive line with Ernest Branch. By all accounts, 1996's John Brown was even better than the mid-2000's John Brown. Linebackers Jamie Arthur and Eddie Byrd were dominating along with Ollie Galloway. Tavaris Burgess and Ryan Coleman filled out the defensive line. Casey Anderson, Corey Johnson, Tim Vassar and Keith Davis rounded out the secondary.

IMPACT

This was a return-to-glory year for the Dreadnaughts. Since winning its first state title, Lakeland missed the playoffs a few times — district runners-up did not advance — and could not break through when it did win the district. This title began a run of five state titles in 11 seasons from 1996 to 2006.

NO. 7: 2004

THE RECORD: 15-0

THE TEAM

It was the coming-out party for Rainey, who was just a sophomore, and he had his first 1,000-yard rushing season running behind fullback Steve Chancey. Chris Griffin was the ideal quarterback in Castle's system, as he could pass and run. Wilson, Eric Jean and Issac Johnson were solid targets. Hammond played at tackle as a sophomore and defensive lineman and future FSU Seminole Kendrick Stewart was a rare two-way player at guard to lead a solid offensive line that also had Tim Werner, Demetrius Wilson and Hardy.

Defensively, Stewart was a force with Brown, who was just a sophomore. They were joined by Edgar Lewis and Logan Irby. Rashad Coleman was at middle linebacker between George Allen and Taylor, who moved from tailback as a freshman to linebacker before moving back to offense his final two years. Johnson was at safety before moving to linebacker as a senior. Deonte Parker, Randy Dobie and Andre Walker rounded out the secondary. Lakeland outscored its opponents 497-117.

THE IMPACT

For most programs, this season would rank No. 1. The Dreadnaughts were coming off their worst season in more than a decade and lost to Lake Gibson in the kickoff classic. Within a few games, however, it appeared that nothing was going to stop Lakeland from winning its fourth state title. There was a three-point win over Durant and a two-point win over rival Kathleen. The closest game in the playoffs was an 11-point win in the regional quarterfinals. Lakeland finished ranked No. 18 by USA Today.

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